Margaret Fuller Quotes

Powerful Margaret Fuller for Daily Growth

About Margaret Fuller

Margaret Fuller (1810-1850), a seminal figure in American Transcendentalism, was born on May 23, 1810, in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts. Raised in a family that valued education, she demonstrated an extraordinary intellect from a young age. Despite the societal norms of the time, her father, Timothy Fuller, provided her with an unconventional education, including Greek and Latin texts. At 19, Fuller published "The Dial," a Transcendentalist magazine, which showcased her intellectual prowess. Later, she moved to New York City, where she became the first female columnist for The New York Tribune, writing under the pseudonym "Putnam." Her columns were insightful discussions on literature, art, and women's rights, reflecting her progressive views. In 1846, Fuller published "Woman in the Nineteenth Century," a groundbreaking feminist manifesto that argued for greater social, economic, and political opportunities for women. The book sparked controversy but remains a significant work in the history of women's rights. In 1846, she sailed to Europe as part of a cultural exchange. There, she met and began a tumultuous relationship with Italian nationalist Giuseppe Mazzini. Despite their eventual separation, the experiences gained during this journey would shape her final work, "Summer on the Lakes," published posthumously in 1845. Tragically, Fuller drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Long Island on July 19, 1850. Her life and works significantly influenced the feminist and transcendentalist movements in America. Today, she is remembered not only for her literary accomplishments but also for her pioneering advocacy for women's rights.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads."

This quote by Margaret Fuller emphasizes the interconnectedness of human life, suggesting that our individual lives are not isolated but rather woven together through countless subtle influences, interactions, and shared experiences - invisible threads that bind us all in a collective tapestry. It encourages empathy, understanding, and recognition that our actions can impact others in ways we may not always see or understand, and that ultimately, our personal well-being is dependent on the well-being of those around us.

"The greatest prejudice of all in the world is preconceived opinion."

This quote by Margaret Fuller underscores the danger of forming opinions without open-mindedness or genuine understanding. Preconceived opinions, which are judgments made based on existing beliefs or biases rather than new evidence, can limit our capacity to grow, learn, and connect with others. They hinder us from seeing things as they truly are and prevent us from embracing novel ideas and perspectives. Instead, Fuller encourages us to approach the world with an open mind, ready to question our beliefs and receptive to new experiences that challenge our preconceived notions.

"Truth forgives no errors but the error of omission."

Margaret Fuller's quote suggests that truth holds no excuses for mistakes made in actions (errors of commission), but it is lenient towards oversights or neglect (errors of omission). This implies that intentionally making a mistake, due to carelessness, ignorance, or malice, will not be forgiven by the truth. However, if one fails to act or speak up when they should have, and as a result, miss an opportunity for knowledge or growth, the truth may overlook this omission. Essentially, Fuller emphasizes personal responsibility in seeking and embracing truth.

"To be great is to be misunderstood."

This quote suggests that greatness, in some respects, is often associated with being misunderstood or not fully appreciated during one's time. Often, innovative ideas, bold actions, or unique perspectives can challenge the status quo, leading to a lack of immediate understanding or acceptance. As society evolves, these original contributions may come to be recognized and valued more highly, ultimately cementing the individual's greatness in history. The quote serves as a reminder that greatness should not be measured solely by contemporary recognition but rather by its lasting impact on humanity.

"If there is a paradise on earth, it is this: the family sitting down to a meal together."

This quote by Margaret Fuller emphasizes the significance and joy of familial connection. The act of sharing a meal symbolizes unity, communication, and appreciation for one another, which can be considered a small paradise on earth, as it fosters bonding and strengthens relationships within the family. It signifies the importance of togetherness, nourishment, and shared experiences that contribute to a sense of harmony and happiness in life.

Man tells his aspiration in his God; but in his demon he shows his depth of experience.

- Margaret Fuller

Shows, Tells, His, Depth

Drudgery is as necessary to call out the treasures of the mind, as harrowing and planting those of the earth.

- Margaret Fuller

Mind, Call, Necessary, Harrowing

It seems that it is madder never to abandon one's self than often to be infatuated; better to be wounded, a captive and a slave, than always to walk in armor.

- Margaret Fuller

Always, Often, Wounded, Madder

It should be remarked that, as the principle of liberty is better understood, and more nobly interpreted, a broader protest is made in behalf of women. As men become aware that few have had a fair chance, they are inclined to say that no women have had a fair chance.

- Margaret Fuller

Principle, Had, Inclined, Understood

Art can only be truly art by presenting an adequate outward symbol of some fact in the interior life.

- Margaret Fuller

Art, Some, Symbol, Outward

Male and female represent the two sides of the great radical dualism. But in fact they are perpetually passing into one another. Fluid hardens to solid, solid rushes to fluid. There is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman.

- Margaret Fuller

Woman, Fact, Purely, Passing

Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved.

- Margaret Fuller

Pleasure, Beware, Even, Beloved

It is astonishing what force, purity, and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep clear of falsehoods.

- Margaret Fuller

Human Being, Purity, Keep, Falsehoods

Essays, entitled critical, are epistles addressed to the public, through which the mind of the recluse relieves itself of its impressions.

- Margaret Fuller

Through, Which, Entitled, Essays

We need to hear the excuses men make to themselves for their worthlessness.

- Margaret Fuller

Men, Need, Themselves, Excuses

The especial genius of women I believe to be electrical in movement, intuitive in function, spiritual in tendency.

- Margaret Fuller

Genius, Function, Tendency, Intuitive

It is a vulgar error that love, a love, to woman is her whole existence; she is born for Truth and Love in their universal energy.

- Margaret Fuller

Love, Woman, Born, Energy

Would that the simple maxim, that honesty is the best policy, might be laid to heart; that a sense of the true aim of life might elevate the tone of politics and trade till public and private honor become identical.

- Margaret Fuller

Politics, Private, Till, The Best Policy

Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow.

- Margaret Fuller

Grow, Knew, Very, Early

Only the dreamer shall understand realities, though in truth his dreaming must be not out of proportion to his waking.

- Margaret Fuller

Dreams, Dreamer, Dreaming, Waking

I am suffocated and lost when I have not the bright feeling of progression.

- Margaret Fuller

I Am, Lost, Bright, Suffocated

Nature provides exceptions to every rule.

- Margaret Fuller

Nature, Rule, Provides, Exceptions

Men for the sake of getting a living forget to live.

- Margaret Fuller

Work, Forget, Getting, Sake

Two persons love in one another the future good which they aid one another to unfold.

- Margaret Fuller

Love, Which, Persons, Aid

Be what you would seem to be - or, if you'd like it put more simply - a house is no home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.

- Margaret Fuller

Mind, More, Like, Contains

The use of criticism, in periodical writing, is to sift, not to stamp a work.

- Margaret Fuller

Work, Writing, Use, Sift

The character and history of each child may be a new and poetic experience to the parent, if he will let it.

- Margaret Fuller

Character, Parent, New, Poetic

A house is no home unless it contain food and fire for the mind as well as for the body.

- Margaret Fuller

Mind, Unless, Contain, Fire

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.

- Margaret Fuller

Knowledge, Light, You, Candles

I now know all the people worth knowing in America, and I find no intellect comparable to my own.

- Margaret Fuller

People, Own, My Own, Intellect

For precocity some great price is always demanded sooner or later in life.

- Margaret Fuller

Some, Always, Later, Price

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.

- Margaret Fuller

Leadership, Today, Leader, Reader

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